Briccolina
brik-ko-LEE-na
A powerful Serralunga cru perched at 350 metres, neighbour to Vigna Rionda and home to Barolo's only Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyard.
Briccolina is a Barolo MGA in Serralunga d'Alba, sitting at 350 metres with southwest to southeast exposure on clay and calcareous marl soils. The cru produces full-bodied, austere Nebbiolo with 15 to 20 years of aging potential. It sits adjacent to the celebrated Vigna Rionda and Ornato crus.
- Classified as a Barolo MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) in Serralunga d'Alba
- Elevation of 350 metres (1,050 feet) on a western slope with southwest to southeast exposure
- Soils are clay with grey marl and calcareous limestone, typical of Serralunga's Helvetian geology
- Climate is drier and more ventilated than much of Barolo, with cooler afternoon air moderating daytime heat
- Located directly adjacent to the prestigious Vigna Rionda and Ornato MGAs
- Rivetto's plot has been biodynamic since 2015 and is the only Barolo cru certified by Demeter
- La Briccolina winery, founded by the Grasso family in 1923, released its first Briccolina bottling in 2012
Location and Setting
Briccolina sits within the commune of Serralunga d'Alba, one of Barolo's most celebrated townships for structured, age-worthy wines. The vineyard takes its name from the peak of the hill on which it stands, and its position at 350 metres on a western slope gives it southwest to southeast exposure. This placement puts Briccolina in distinguished company: the cru borders both Vigna Rionda and Ornato, two of Serralunga's most iconic single vineyards.
- Commune: Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo DOCG
- Elevation: 350 metres (1,050 feet)
- Aspect: Southwest to southeast, western slope
- Adjacent to Vigna Rionda and Ornato MGAs
Soils and Climate
The soils at Briccolina are clay-dominant with grey marl and calcareous limestone, characteristic of Serralunga d'Alba's Helvetian-age geology. These compact, nutrient-poor soils stress the vine and drive deep root development, contributing to the concentration and structure that define Serralunga Barolo. The climate within the vineyard is notably drier and more ventilated than surrounding areas. During the day, hot air ventilation is limited, but cooler air moves through in the late afternoon, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness in the fruit at harvest.
- Clay with grey marl and calcareous limestone
- Helvetian-age geology shared across Serralunga d'Alba
- Drier microclimate than much of the broader Barolo zone
- Afternoon cooling air maintains acidity and freshness
Biodynamic Pioneer
Briccolina holds a unique distinction in the Barolo zone: Rivetto converted their plot to biodynamic farming in 2015, and it is currently the only Barolo cru to hold Demeter certification. This makes Briccolina not only a site of geographical interest but also a reference point for the growing conversation around regenerative viticulture in Piedmont. The Demeter standard requires adherence to the full biodynamic farming calendar and independent third-party verification, setting a high bar that no other Barolo cru has yet matched.
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Briccolina is planted exclusively to Nebbiolo, as required under Barolo DOCG regulations. The wines produced here follow the broader Serralunga profile: full-bodied, austere, and powerfully structured, with tannins and acidity built for long cellaring of 15 to 20 years. Notable producers working the site include Enrico Serafino, Beni di Batasiolo (the Dogliani family), the Grasso family's La Briccolina estate, and Rivetto. The La Briccolina estate, founded in 1923, only began labelling a single-vineyard Briccolina in 2012, reflecting the relatively recent formalisation of the MGA system.
- Enrico Serafino: established Barolo producer with MGA holdings
- Beni di Batasiolo: large estate owned by the Dogliani family
- La Briccolina (Grasso family): founded 1923, first MGA bottling 2012
- Rivetto: Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2015
Full-bodied and austere with firm, grippy tannins and high natural acidity. Expect concentrated red and dried fruit, tar, earth, and dried rose, with savoury complexity that deepens significantly with 10 or more years of bottle age. Serralunga's compact marl soils contribute a mineral, iron-edged quality that sets these wines apart from the more approachable style of Barolo's western communes.
- Rivetto Barolo Briccolina$80-110The only Demeter-certified biodynamic Barolo cru; Serralunga structure with certified sustainable farming since 2015.Find →
- La Briccolina Barolo Briccolina$70-95Estate founded 1923 by Grasso family; first single-vineyard bottling released 2012, pure estate expression.Find →
- Beni di Batasiolo Barolo Briccolina$50-70Large, reliable Dogliani family estate offering an accessible entry point to this Serralunga MGA.Find →
- Briccolina is a Barolo MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) in Serralunga d'Alba, one of five core Barolo communes
- Soils are calcareous clay and grey marl of Helvetian origin, producing structured, tannic, age-worthy Barolo
- Rivetto's Briccolina parcel is the only Demeter-certified biodynamic Barolo cru, converted in 2015
- The vineyard sits at 350 metres with southwest to southeast exposure, adjacent to Vigna Rionda and Ornato
- Wines are built for 15 to 20 years of aging, consistent with Serralunga's reputation for the most austere, long-lived Barolo